How To Find A Therapist In Miami
Trying to find a therapist in Miami can be a really overwhelming process. There are so many titles and letters involved, it’s bound to make your head spin. This guide will cover the different types of mental health professionals and provide you with a list of questions to ask a potential therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, or counselor.
There are a few important things you should keep in mind when trying to find a therapist in Miami:
1. License and Credentials
This is where we get into the oh-so-confusing alphabet soup of credentials and licensure. You want to make sure your therapist is licensed, insured, and credentialed for safety reasons. This provides security that your clinician is subject to a board of ethics and that they are being held to standards of clinical competence and education. You absolutely need to make sure you clinician is licensed and can conduct the services you are looking for, but don’t get too caught up in the semantics. In all honesty, this is the area I find to be least important in the long run. What is more important is their training and specialty, but we’ll get to that later…
For the sake of trying to find a therapist in Miami, I am going to focus on licensure and credentials in Florida. There are several type of mental health professionals. Let me break it down for you….
Psychologists: These guys will have a PhD in a type of psychology or PsyD and will have passed a licensing exam. PhD students normally spend their schooling doing more research and less clinical work, while PsyD. students complete a more clinically intensive program. Psychologists usually complete 4 years of schooling, 2 years of supervised practice after graduation, and then take a licensing exam. It is possible for someone to complete a doctorate in psychology or another subject, but be licensed at the master’s level (LMHC, LCSW, LMFT….more on this alphabet soup later), not as a psychologist. This may look like – Dr. Joe Jones, LMHC. Beware, there are individuals who practice at the master’s level and have a Dr. before their name in something completely unrelated, like English. Which sounds nice, but really won’t help you at all. Typically I recommend someone see a psychologist when there are significant concerns about a complex diagnosis. For example, someone with ADD/ADHD, Autism, Schizophrenia, Bipolar disorder, or some complex combination of two or more disorders. Psychologists are trained in assessments and are excellent diagnosticians for complex disorders!
Psychiatrists: These are medical doctors who have specialized in the field of psychiatry and are able to prescribe medication. Psychiatrists complete 4 years of medical school, 4 years of residency (typically), and then take a licensing exam and become board certified. Psychiatrists are excellent diagnosticians for complex disorders as well. Psychologists and therapists often work closely with psychiatrists to help patients who would like to combine medication and psychotherapy. In my experience, most psychiatrists do not spend a considerable amount of time with their patients (usually 10-15 mins, sadly) and do not practice psychotherapy. But that certainly isn’t the rule! I know some amazing psychiatrists who specialize in psychotherapy and enjoy conducting hour long sessions with their patients. If you would like to see a psychiatrist for therapy, make sure their profile clearly states that they provide talk therapy and have obtained additional training in this area.
Psychotherapists: Brace yourself…this one can get confusing. Psychotherapist, or therapist, is a wide umbrella term used for an individual with a minimum of a master’s degree in the counseling field, who has completed a minimum of a 2 year post-graduate supervised practicum and passed a licensing exam. There are Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT, yay!) and Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHC) in the state of Florida. LCSWs tend to have more of a community focus, while LMFTs are the only graduate degree with specific training in couples and family counseling integrated into the training program. LMHCs are trained in mental health counseling and often get additional training in group therapy. All of these therapists can provide psychotherapy to individuals, couples, and families in an array of settings. Master’s level clinicians complete their post-graduate training in a wide variety of locations; this allows them to specialize in a particular area. I find psychotherapists to be excellent in relationship and adjustment issues.
As a therapist who is also in therapy, I have worked with and been a client of many clinicians with different letters after their name. All of them have demonstrated excellent clinical skills in their area of expertise and to be honest…I know they are licensed and trained, but I forget their clinical degrees within five minutes of working with them. When I am referring to a clinician, what sticks out to me most is their passion for a specific issue, knowledge, dedication to continuing education, and devotion to providing ethical and competent clinical treatment. Which brings us to the next topic…
2. Specialty and Additional Training
This is the important stuff!!! Degrees only get you so far and many programs train us to be generalists. If you break your leg and need to see a doctor, are you going to see an orthopedic doctor or a cardiologist? I would go with the orthopedic. While they both may be excellent doctors, only one will really know how to help you.
Miami is a huge city with many, many therapists. Look for someone who has experience with your specific issue. You can find this out by looking at their blog and professional profiles. On my landing page it is very obvious that I specialize in two specific areas: chronic health conditions and substance abuse. When clinicians put this on their page it usually means they have worked with these populations extensively, are consistently training in this area, and LOVE working with these types of clients. That’s what I am trying to say! Look for a therapist whose message speaks to you and who knows your issue. I promise, this will get you so much further than the letters after their name.
3. Location, Pricing, and Availability
Therapy is a big commitment and beginning treatment should not be taken lightly. When looking for a therapist, make sure that their location, fees, and availability line up with your schedule. You want to know you won’t feel stressed about making appointments because of traffic or cost. Many therapists take insurance, while others are out of network or fee-for-service providers. You can read more about my decision to stay off insurance panels.
4. Personality and Style
Another HUGE component of therapy. Therapists will speak to you through their online profiles, their website, blog articles, and likely an initial phone consult. Are you getting a good vibe from them? Do you like their delivery? Personality and fit is one of the biggest indicators of therapy success rates. You need to trust your clinician and feel that you are being respected and heard. Sometimes it is hard to decide if it’s a great fit before meeting, don’t worry about this. Finding a therapist can sometimes feel like dating and you are allowed to test out the waters. If you don’t like a clinician, don’t give up on therapy completely. Take some time to consider what you didn’t like about that clinician and what you are looking for, then try a new match.
Ok so now that you understand what to look for, how do you actually find a therapist in Miami. Follow the steps below:
Do you want medication? (Yes) (No) (Maybe)
Yes: Contact a psychiatrist. American Psychiatric Association and Psychology Today are a great place to start. Your primary care doctor and current psychotherapist can also help you find a Psychiatrist in Miami.
Maybe: Schedule an appointment with a licensed therapist to discuss your concerns. They can help you process and make an informed decision. Therapists are knowledgable about conditions that respond to medication and are often connected with psychiatrists in the community.
No: Move along and find yourself a licensed psychotherapist!
Do you need a specific assessment performed for the courts or a job? (Yes) (No) (Maybe)
Yes: I’d go with a psychologist who performs assessments.
Maybe: Any of the clinicians listed above will be able to evaluate whether you need an assessment and point you in the right direction. There’s always the option to see a psychiatrist for medication, a psychologist for a one-time assessment, and a therapist for counseling.
No: Move along and find yourself a licensed psychotherapist!
Have you or your loved one been diagnosed with a chronic mental health condition, like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia?(Yes) (No) (Maybe)
Yes: Personally, I would refer you to a psychologist or a psychiatrist with specific training in this area. Therapists may have additional training in this area, but confirm before scheduling an appointment.
Maybe: Visit with any of the above professionals. They will be able to point you in the right direction and rule out any diagnoses.
No: Move along and find yourself a licensed psychotherapist! If your symptoms and needs change, a good therapist will have no problem referring you to a new clinician if needed.
Google is your friend when trying to find a therapist in Miami. You can Google “find a chronic illness therapist in Miami” or “substance abuse counselor Miami” and many clinicians, like me, will pop up. Psychology Today and the community are also great resources. Don’t be afraid to ask your friends and family for help, they may have been to therapy too. There’s no therapy shame allowed here.
Find a Therapist in Miami: What to Ask in an Introductory Call or Email
Do you accept my insurance? If not, how can I get reimbursed for services and what types of payment do you accept?
What is the typical structure of your sessions?
Is there parking at your location? What hours do you typically offer sessions?
Have you worked with clients with similar concerns? Do you think you can help me?
What are your strengths as a therapist?
Do you lead the sessions or will I?
What types of things would you expect me to do during sessions?
What happens when I am late to an appointment or miss a session?
What do I need to do before the first session?
Is there anything we talk about that won’t be kept confidential?
How will we assess my progress?
Your new therapist should be able to answer these questions with no problem! If a client calls me and I do not think I can help them or do not feel I have adequate training in the area, I will always refer them to another clinician. Be wary of individuals who promise quick results or are “experts” in everything.
If you need assistance finding a therapist in Miami, please do not hesitate to contact me. I have full confidence you will find a fantastic therapist in Miami.